The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-07-13
A STRIKE AT GRoToN LODGE.
By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


Arethusa Allen was only eighteen when
she came to Groton Gorge TO take charge
Of the district school-a slight, dark-eyed
slip Of thing, with low voice, and such
a shy, timid way, that the big girls and
the rebellious boys at once jumped to
the conclusion that She would be con
quered at once in her capacity as
school-marm"
They discovered their mistake, howev-
er, in a very brief period Of time Miss
Allen might be quiet, but she had the
spirit Of Joan Of Arc. She reduced her
little flock to order, and kept tnem there,
too.
Mrs Binns, who presided over the
Gorge House, also bore testimony in be-
balfof Arethusa Alien
1 didn't s'pose, when | first see her,
that she would amount TO a row ofpins,'
said Mrs Binns, who weighed three hun
dred pounds, and stood five feet eight
inches in her stockings. A slim, school
giri-looking creature like that And i
had not room TO spare, and | didn't see
bow I could possibly accommodate her.
But she spoke up SO pretty like, that she
hadn't no friends and didn't know where
to 20. 20 s;lys | II YOU don't mind a
rom over the laundry, can clear out
some Of the stores and put up cot bed
till the season is over. It's noisy place
in the day time, says |. with them Chi
nese cacklin' and screechin', but its still
and peaeeable Of nights. And if you'll
help me make out the bills and keep the
accounts, Miss Allen, says l, I'll consid-
er it in your board, for l amt no scholar
and never was.
Mrs. BInns was an ungainly creature 70
look 1t, buI she was as beautiful at heart
As theiN Nenus de Medica's selfand Arethu-
"a soon felt herself at home in the little
room over the laundry, whose windows
looked out at the thread like fall of sill
yer cascade, and the uniathomabie gloom
Of the fir glens beyond. For Groton
Gorge was as lovely place rs ever lean
ed from mountain plateau over the misty
valley below and the Groton House was
full Of city boarders.
Nor was the domestic staff contempti-
Bile Mrs Binns had all her servants
from the city during the summer season,
and TO all appearances everything went
on velvet.
Until one foggy August morning when
Mrs. Binns awakened To find herself
racked in every joint by acute rheuma-
tisn, and utterly incapable of NOV
ing.
Shesent tor Mrs. Mackenzie, the cook,
to give the days orders but Mrs. Mack
enzie did not wait TO hear about roasting
chickens and joints Of spring lamb, be-
fore she began on her own account
Sorry to inconvenience you, NJ gam"
said Ms Mackenzie, with her arms
akimbo, but We ladies and gentlemen
down stairs have concluded to ask for an
increase OF salary. And until YOU have
conceded toour demands, We shall be i'm
PEELED to resist from work
Mrs. Binns opened her eyes in aston
ishment
&" Amt | payin' you good wages al
ready 2' said she. And ] can't afford
10 pay no more not cent
Mrs Mackenzie took out a roll ofpaper
from her apron pocket, and opened it.
/ have here. ma'am," said she, purs-
ing up her thin lips. the signatures Of
all the ladies and gents at present assist
in in the mediterranean regions down
stairs, including the four walters of the
colored gender, and the two Chinese
washer-laundries and we won't uone Of
Us stay another hour without you'llag
in documentary writin', nia'am, to raise
our salaries"
And Mrs Mackenzie tossed her head
in spiteful satisfaction
Mrs Binns sank wearily back on the
pillows.
can't give no answer, said She
not with this pain in my bones. Send
Miss Arethusa Allen 10 me, please"
"Oh, certainly, ma 'am-certainly pT
said the cook, rising. Sorry you feel SO
poorly. But bear in mind, ma'am, that
We shall expect an answer immediately"
And Mrs. Mackenzie withdrew
Presently Arethusa Allen came in
for, as it ehanced, the district school had
closed week previously for the summer
vacation-and found Mrs Binns dissoly-
ed in tears
What IL il, dear Mrs. Binns7- said
Arethusa-
The hello has all struck for higer wa
ges - cried Mrs Binns. And I'm PAWN
EN- more than can afford now And
all the prices Of provisions have riz, and
may as well close the place at once.
Oh, Arethusa, my head aches so / can't
think What shall DO? Tell me--ther's
dear"
Nothing" said Arethusa quietly. q Just
lie down again, and let me send for the
doctor
But the boarders ami the dinneryr